Episodic antiviral therapy for genital herpes

Recurrences of genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection can be treated with episodic antiviral therapy. Antiviral therapy started within 24 hours of symptom onset is most likely to be effectiveWHO, 2016Patel, 2017. Advise patients to start taking antivirals at the onset of prodromal symptoms or lesions, and to abstain from sexual contact until symptoms have resolvedOng, 2023.

Short courses of antiviral therapy are effective because viral replication in recurrent genital herpes infection is short-lived. UseOng, 2023Workowski, 2021:

1aciclovir 800 mg orally, 8-hourly for 2 days. For dosage adjustment in adults with kidney impairment, see aciclovir oral dosage adjustment aciclovir aciclovir aciclovir

OR

1famciclovir 1 g orally, 12-hourly for 1 day. For dosage adjustment in adults with kidney impairment, see famciclovir dosage adjustment famciclovir famciclovir famciclovir

OR

1valaciclovir 500 mg orally, 12-hourly for 3 days. For dosage adjustment in adults with kidney impairment, see valaciclovir dosage adjustment. valaciclovir valaciclovir valaciclovir